Labour leaders join Toronto solidarity action to oppose extremism and support Ottawa residents

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TORONTO, Feb. 20, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leaders from the Ontario Federation of Labour attended the Neighborhood Solidarity Rally and March organized by labour and group organizations in Toronto.

The motion was held in solidarity with Ottawa residents who’ve been subjected to over three weeks of hate and harassment throughout the occupation of their metropolis. The motion additionally vowed to maintain Toronto residents, staff, and neighbourhoods secure from extremism.

“Everybody who has stood as much as the convoy and confronted its rhetoric of hate has demonstrated what’s potential when a group comes collectively and stands up for love, not hate, and for solidarity, not division,” mentioned Patty Coates, Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) President. “On the Ontario Federation of Labour we’re dedicated to difficult the hate and division fueled by the convoy whereas placing ahead a hopeful and optimistic imaginative and prescient for a greater Ontario.”

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Over the previous three weeks staff have confronted harassment and bullying for making an attempt to remain secure whereas doing their job. They’ve misplaced wages from their workplaces being pressured to shutter, they usually have confronted pointless hardship.

“The actual heroes and freedom fighters on this pandemic are those who sacrificed their very own well being and security to maintain us secure, wholesome, alive, fed, and clothed. Each single Canadian who wore a masks to guard their neighbour, buddy, and coworker,” mentioned Sara Labelle, 2^nd Vice-President, OPSEU/SEFPO. “We’ve been united by means of this pandemic in frequent objectives to look after one another and hold one another secure – that’s what staff throughout this province have executed,” added Labelle. “This convoy doesn’t symbolize the bulk – the bulk sacrificed every single day with a standard aim of minimizing demise and sickness. The bulk rolled up their sleeves, wore masks, and delivered very important providers of their communities every single day, to guard probably the most weak.”

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The OFL believes that the convoy has tried to mobilize the discontent felt by many after two years of presidency mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, the convoy is rooted in hate. It’s led by white supremacists who’ve unfold Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and racism on social media and elsewhere.

“So long as it’s crucial, we’ll hold naming – loudly, clearly, and collectively – what we’re witnessing. These are white supremacists, plain and easy, who desperately latch onto regardless of the difficulty of the day may be as a way to unfold their ideology of hate, sow seeds of chaos and dissent, and upend the lives of residents and staff,” mentioned Fred Hahn, CUPE Ontario President. “Sufficient’s sufficient. No extra hate. No extra chaos. No extra sleepless nights for, and harassment of, our neighbours. It’s time to forcefully oppose these currents of white supremacy; supply a imaginative and prescient of the options we want, like actual affordability, everlasting paid sick days, and investments into childcare and healthcare; and manage to make this imaginative and prescient a actuality.”

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“The pandemic has been devastating. Persons are indignant, exhausted, and pissed off. Folks want issues would return to regular,” mentioned Coates. “The answer to our anger and frustration in regards to the pandemic is just not hate and division. The answer is protections for staff and investments within the individuals of Ontario.”

The Ontario Federation of Labour represents 54 unions and a million staff in Ontario. For info, go to www.OFL.ca and observe @OFLabour on Fb and Twitter.

For extra info, please contact:
Melissa Palermo
Director of Communications
Ontario Federation of Labour
mpalermo@ofl.ca l 416-894-3456

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